Progress of Sinus Bradycardia in Patients with Bradycardia-Tachycardia Syndrome: One-Year Follow-Up

Background and Objectives: The progression of sinus node dysfunction is believed slowly. In patients with permanent pacemaker for bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome, pacing should operate only during the periods of slow atrial and ventricular rates. Methods: We studied 10 consecutive patients who had received permanent pacemaker implantation for bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome. Serial changes in percentage of atrial pacing were evaluated at 1 month, 6 months and 12 months after the procedure. Results: Four of 10 patients required more than 90% pacing at 12 month follow-up. Two required less than 10% during the follow-up periods. In other 2 patients, percentage of atrial pacing was going up during the follow-up. One patient was shifted to atrial fibrillation. Conclusion: In patients with bradycardia-tachycardia patients, sinus bradycardia became also progressing.